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Raw oysters sicken 12 in California: Speak to a Raw Oyster Lawyer Now

An outbreak of gastrointestinal illnesses in California has been linked to raw oysters harvested from Estero El Cardon in Baja California Sur, Mexico. The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) has received reports from 12 consumers that they became ill between February and April 2019 after eating raw oysters sold by restaurants and retailers in Los Angeles, Orange, Santa Barbara, and San Diego counties.

Raw oysters linked to the foodborne illnesses were distributed throughout the state of California. Health investigators conducted tests on eight cases related to the illnesses and found multiple pathogens: Vibrio parahaemolyticus (3), Vibrio albensis (1), Vibrio species unidentified (1), Shigella flexneri serotype 1 (2), and norovirus (1). In addition, one of the Vibrio parahaemolyticus cases was co-infected with non-O157 Shiga toxin-producing E. coli.

Retailers and restaurants throughout the state of California should check their inventory and shellfish tags that are required to identify the source to avoid any raw oysters harvested from Estero El Cardon in Baja California Sur, Mexico. Consumers are advised to ask retailers and restaurants to confirm the source of their raw oysters before purchasing and eating them.

CDPH is continuing their investigation into the foodborne illnesses linked to raw oysters, working with local health officials to collect additional information and to conduct a traceback investigation. Consumers, retailers, and restaurants who have any of these raw oysters in their possession should dispose of them properly as they are potentially contaminated with one of the toxins found by health investigators.

CDPH has offered tips for consumers to remember when consuming raw shellfish:

Avoid eating raw and undercooked shellfish, including oysters, to reduce the risk of illness.

If you do eat shellfish, cook it until it reaches an internal temperature of at least 145°F. Quick steaming isn’t sufficient to prevent gastrointestinal illness from these pathogens.

E. Coli Lawyer Ron Simon: “The Key to the source is Georgia’s 27 E. coli victims. E. Coli numbers have been rising in Georgia as more and more victims are identified in the E. coli Raw Beef Outbreak. It is likley that Georgia will be the first to identify the source.”

Georgia has become one of the hardest hit states in the multi-state e. coli outbreak that has sickened over 100 people. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) continues to investigate the outbreak but has determined that the probable source of the e. coli infections is ground beef. No specific brand or producer of the contaminated ground beef has yet been pinpointed.

There are now 27 reports of illnesses in Georgia related to e. coli in ground beef, with 3 Georgians being hospitalized for their symptoms. Kentucky has the highest number of illnesses, with 54, and Tennessee is reporting 28 illnesses linked to e. coli in ground beef.

The outbreak began in March 2019 and has expanded to include six bordering states: Georgia, Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia, Ohio, and Indiana. The CDC has found, through its interviews with those who have become ill, that consumers who became sick during the outbreak ate ground beef at home and in restaurants. Investigators are still trying to determine the source of the ground beef supplied to those grocery stores and restaurant locations connected to the people who became ill.

The CDC also anticipates that the number of illnesses will increase. It typically takes about two or three weeks between the time an infected consumer seeks medical attention and the time the case is reported to health officials.

Even with the multiple illnesses across six states, the CDC is not recommending that consumers avoid eating ground beef at this time. Nor is the agency recommending that retailers stop serving or selling ground beef. Consumers and food preparers in restaurants are advised to handle ground beef safely and to cook it thoroughly to avoid foodborne illness.

Indiana has been added to the list of states affected by a beef e. coli outbreak that began in early March of 2019. The beef e. coli outbreak has been linked to contaminated ground beef, although a specific source has not yet been identified according to E. coli Beef Lawyer Ron Simon, this is likely to change in the very near future.

On April 12, 2019, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) added Indiana to the states in the region with reports of illnesses from e. coli contamination, joining Kentucky, Georgia, Ohio, Virginia, and Tennesssee. Because it is a multi-state outbreak, the CDC has taken the lead in the epidemiological investigation. As E.coli lawyer Tony Coveny explains:

“Anytime you have an outbreak that crosses state lines, like in a criminal case such as a kidnapping where the FBI is brought in, the outbreak becomes a federal matter and the CDC assumes control. They still work primarily through the local health agencies which, of course, report to each state health agency. The local health departments provide the boots on the ground and usually the key to an outbreak is uncovered by one of those agencies. It is an effective system with one caveat – the time form infection to reporting to testing to including a victim in the official numbers at the CDC can lag for weeks due to the number of intervening entities. Nonetheless, the United States is well respected for its ability to track an outbreak, and the network of health departments, especially including the tools like PulseNet, is the most efficient system on the planet.”

According to local reports, at least one person in Indiana has become ill from contaminated ground beef to date, though there is scant information on whether they purchased and consumed the beef in Indiana or a neighboring state. The CDC emphasizes that the count of illnesses generally increases as more consumers seek medical assistance. The process typically takes 2-3 weeks from the time someone becomes ill to the time the CDC receives the report from the healthcare professional. Seventeen people have been hospitalized because of the severity of their e. coli symptoms.

Investigations into the source of the e. coli contamination began at the end of March, when a number of illnesses were reported in Kentucky and Georgia. As noted by E. coli lawyer Coveny above, the outbreak then became a federal matter when it spread to neighboring states, including Tennessee, Ohio, and Virginia. Indiana was only added when the Indiana resident’s illness was identified as e. coli O103, the same strain as the outbreak, and that contamination was traced to ground beef.

Kentucky is experiencing the highest number of illnesses, with 54 reported as of April 12, 2019. (At least three of the Kentucky victims have contacted the e. coli beef attorneys s at Ron Simon & Associates so far, even though it is a bit premature to file a beef e. coli lawsuit at this time.) Tennessee has 28 reported cases of e. coli contamination, while Georgia has 17, Ohio has 7, and Virginia has 2. As of the April 12, 2019, report from the CDC, no common supplier, distributor, or brand of ground beef has been identified.

A salmonella outbreak attributed to pre-cut melons produced by Caito Foods has affected three people in Minnesota, two of whom are children living in the same household. The third person to become ill after eating the contaminated melons is an unidentified adult. The three people became ill in March.

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) and Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA), along with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and several other states are investigating the salmonella outbreak. The CDC and FDA have identified a multi-state outbreak of Salmonella Carrau infections linked to consumption of pre-cut melon supplied by Caito Foods, LLC, of Indianapolis, Indiana.

The three people in Minnesota who became ill had eaten pre-cut cantaloupe purchased from one Trader Joe’s store. That cantaloupe was part of the recall initiated by Caito Foods in several states, including Minnesota, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.

Health officials expect the number of illnesses, currently at 93, to increase as more cases are reported. It typically takes 2-3 weeks for reports of illnesses to be recorded after the victim seeks medical help.

Caito Foods has recalled fresh cut watermelon, fresh cut honeydew melon, fresh cut cantaloupe, and fresh cut mixed fruit containing one of these melons, produced at the Caito Foods facility in Indianapolis, Indiana, because of their potential to be contaminated with Salmonella Carrau.

Multi-state e. coli
outbreak numbers increase – source still unknown

An e. coli outbreak that began in Kentucky has spread to multiple states, with the number of illnesses and hospitalizations increasing. Eight people have now been hospitalized for e. coli contamination. Across 5 states, 72 people have been infected with an outbreak strain of e. coli O103. Additional illnesses are expected to be reported as the investigation continues. As of NOW, according to the experienced e. coli lawyers at Ron Simon & Associates, no source has been found, but that is very likely to change.

As such, the experienced e. coli lawyers at Ron Simon & Associates are already drafting the lawsuits for victims in the e. coli O103 outbreak. As experienced e. coli lawyers, they know that the CDC, state and local health agencies will eventually trace the source and that litigation of behalf of so many injured victims will be necessary to compensate the victims and prevent this form happening again.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the U.S.
Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service, and the U.S.
Food and Drug Administration are investigating the e. coli outbreak. Health
officials from five states are also participating in the ongoing investigation.

Illnesses have been reported in Georgia (8), Kentucky (36), Ohio (5), Tennessee (21), and Virginia (2). Although initially the outbreak was thought to be related to food distribution, possibly fast food, a specific food item, grocery store, or restaurant chain has not been identified as the source of infections. This, says experienced e. coli lawyer Tony Coveny, PhD, is not that uncommon: “In many outbreaks that Ron Simon and I have handled, the source is not identified until long into the investigation. This is because finding the source is a matter of using statistically analysis and traceback investigations, which take a lot of data. Each newly reported illness is yet another data point that enable researchers and investigators to trace the source of the E. coli O103.”

Reported illnesses related to the e. coli outbreak began
between March 2, 2019, and March 29, 2019. Although the people who have become
ill range in age from 1 to 74 years, the median age is 17. Initial reports
pointed to younger people and teenagers as the majority of e. coli victims. State
and local public health officials are interviewing ill people to determine what
they ate and other exposures in the week before their illness started.

At this time, the CDC is not recommending that consumers avoid any particular food. Restaurants and retailers are not advised to avoid serving or selling any particular food as yet. However, that may change as the investigation continues and the potential source of the e. coli is identified.

For more information about e. coli, about an e. coli lawsuit or to speak to an experienced e. coli lawyer, call 1-888-335-4901.

Avocado Listeria Lawyer: Avocados in 6 states recalled for Listeria: Most victims will not be tested for Listeria
Avocados have trended over the past couple of years as the new health food. Normally, they are packed with nutrition, including significant amounts of fiber and potassium. However, avocados sold in six states may actually be a health hazard to consumers, as routine inspections of the Henry Avocado packing facility in California have returned positive results for listeria monocytogenes in environmental samples.
Henry Avocado Corporation is now recalling its conventionally grown and organic whole avocados sold in bulk at retail stores. These avocados are potentially contaminated with the same listeria monocytogenes found in the environmental testing.
Recalled avocados were packed in California and distributed to stores in Arizona, California, Florida, New Hampshire, North Carolina, and Wisconsin. Packing at the Henry Avocado California facility began in late January 2019. The company also imports avocados from Mexico and those are not included in the recall.

Meet the author: Experienced Food Safety Lawyer Tony Coveny, PhD

Retail stores have been notified and should remove all recalled avocados from their shelves. Consumers who have these potentially contaminated avocados in their home should not eat them. The recalled products can be identified by “Bravocado” stickers on the fruit. Henry Avocado organic products are labeled “organic” and include “California” on the sticker. Retailers can identify Henry Avocado organic products by the bar code on the stickers.
Henry Avocado is working with federal and local health officials in California to ensure all recalled avocados are removed from store shelves. Consumers should be aware that Listeria monocytogenes is an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, Listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.
Testing for Listeria Difficult: Most Positive Tests are from Spinal Fluid
The problem, according to one very experienced Avocado Listeria Lawyer, is that most people who get Listeria are not tested for it. They often develop encephalitis or meningitis and are treated prophylactically with antibiotics, but the physicians do not want to perform an intrusive procedure like a spinal fluid tap. In other cases, expecting mother’s miscarry or have still-births and no placental culture i s performed. This means that for victims, in order to pursue an avocado Listeria lawsuit, Listeria has to be diagnosed through differential diagnosis, coupled with proving the exposure to the product.To speak to a Avocado Listeria Lawyer about a Avocado Listeria Lawsuit, or generally about listeria, call 1-888-335-4901.

JBS Tolleson Ground Beef Salmonella lawyer warns that, though the official ground beef salmonella outbreak is over, more victims may still be idenitfied
An outbreak of salmonella infections related to raw ground beef has been declared over; however, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) continues to warn consumers about beef they may have in their freezer. The CDC has also issued an advisory that consumers should handle and cook beef properly to avoid future illnesses.
In October 2018, JBS Tolleson, Inc., announced a recall of its ground beef products because they were potentially contaminated with salmonella. That recall was expanded in December 2018, to include a total of 12,093,271 pounds of non-intact raw beef products.
CDC health officials state that 403 people in 30 states became ill after consuming the contaminated ground beef products, with 117 people being hospitalized for their severe symptoms. California was the hardest hit during the outbreak, with 143 people reporting illnesses there. Colorado had 60 illnesses and Arizona had 54 illnesses related to contaminated ground beef products.
Other states affected included Connecticut (1), Hawaii (5), Idaho (3), Iowa (2), Illinois (1), Indiana (1), Kansas (1), Kentucky (1), Louisiana (5), Michigan (1), Massachusetts (1), Minnesota (2), Mississippi (2), Missouri (3), Montana (10), New Mexico (23), New York (1), Nevada (14), Ohio (9), Oklahoma (10), Oregon (1), South Dakota (10), Texas (19), Utah (11), Washington (3), West Virginia (1), Wyoming (5).
Over 100 retailers sold the recalled beef throughout the US. Consumers should check freezers for ground beef products produced by JBS Tolleson, Inc., of Tolleson, Arizona, from July 26, 2018, through September 7, 2018. These beef products potentially contaminated with salmonella were sold under various brand names. Consumer should check for the establishment number EST 267, usually found inside the USDA mark of inspection.
For more information about this JBS Tolleson Ground Beef Salmonella Outbreak, or to speak to a JBS Tolleson Ground Beef Salmonella lawyer about a JBS Tolleson Ground Beef Salmonella lawsuit, call the food poisoning lawyers at 1-888-335-4901.

Amid hepatitis A outbreak in Kentucky, elementary school lunchroom employee diagnosed
A hepatitis A outbreak in Kentucky has sickened 4,336 people, with 2,084 of those hospitalized. The outbreak has resulted in 44 deaths so far. The Kentucky Department of Public Health declared the hepatitis A outbreak in November 2017.
One of those recently infected is an elementary school food service employee. The employee handled food at Indian Hills Elementary School in Christian County, Kentucky.

Tony Coveny, PhD, Infectious Disease Attorney

The Christian County Health Department announced the diagnosis on March 20. Health officials are continuing to investigate this hepatitis A outbreak. The elementary school is working with the health department to ensure that anyone who may have been exposed is taking precautions. They are concerned that others in the community may be infected, although the health department states that the risk of anyone who ate at the elementary school becoming sick is low.Hepatitis A affects the liver. It spreads from eating food and water contaminated by particles of fecal matter or through contact with an infected person. It often spreads when an infected person does not wash their hands after using the bathroom. Symptoms include yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark-colored urine, fatigue, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, fever and gray stool.
People who handle food must be particularly careful not to become infected and not to spread the infection to others. Hepatitis A can spread quickly in environments such as schools and day cares, where people come in close contact with each other. Health officials strongly recommend that people who handle food wash their hands thoroughly and regularly and avoid unclean food and water.
For more about this hepatitis A outbreak, the legal options for hepatitis A victims, or to investigate the option of filing a hepatitis A lawsuit, call to speak to a food poisoning lawyer at 1-888-335-4901.

Contaminated Cough Syrup: Baby cough syrup recalled as potential health hazard
Cough syrup manufactured by Kingston Pharma, LLC, of Massena, New York, is being recalled because it may be contaminated with Bacillus cereus /Bacillus circulans. In food products such as cough medicine, Bacillus cereus can cause gastrointestinal illness with symptoms ranging from mild to severe and even fatal.
Kingston Pharma is recalling 2-fluid ounce (59 mL) bottles of DG™/health NATURALS baby Cough Syrup + Mucus, in lot KL 180157. The potentially contaminated product was distributed nationwide to Dollar General retail stores. The problem with the cough syrup was discovered after audit testing revealed the presence of Bacillus cereus /Bacillus circulans in sample bottles contained in the recalled lot. In fact, one in ten bottles tested showed low levels of Bacillus cereus and two in ten bottles tested showed low levels of Bacillus circulans.
The company has suspended production of the baby cough syrup during the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA’s) investigation. Recalled products were shipped in cartons labeled DG™/health baby Cough Syrup + Mucus in 2-fluid ounce bottles marked with Lot KL180157 Expiration date 11/20 on the bottom of the carton and back of the bottle label, with the UPC 8 54954 00250 0.
Consumers should not use any of the recalled product they may have in their homes. Contamination with Bacillus cereus /Bacillus circulans can cause illnesses with symptoms that include vomiting and diarrhea. Most often, illnesses are mild and self-limiting, although more serious and even lethal cases have occurred. Individuals at risk for more severe forms of illness include infants, young children, and others with weakened immune systems. No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this problem with the use of DG™/health NATURALS baby Cough Syrup + Mucus.
For more information about Contaminated Cough Syrup, or to speak to a food poisoning lawyer about the Contaminated Cough Syrup, call 1-888-335-4901.

Grille at Gold Dust West Salmonella Lawyer: Eggs identified as probable source of salmonella outbreak at Nevada grill
An outbreak of salmonella linked to the Grille at Gold Dust West in Elko, Nevada, may have been caused by eggs included on the menu. At least 17 people have become sick with salmonella symptoms after eating at the restaurant. Health officials from the Nevada Department of Health and Human Services are continuing their investigation as the Grille remains open to customers.
Jacob’s Entertainment owns the Grille at Gold Dust West, located at 1660 Mountain City Hwy in Elko. The company’s Chief Operating Officer, John East, confirmed that the Nevada health department asked that the restaurant remove eggs from the menu while the investigation continues.
Eggs can become contaminated with salmonella from poultry, through the laying process. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends the following for the safe handling and consumption of eggs:

Cook eggs until both the yolk and white are firm. Egg dishes should be cooked to an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C) or hotter.

Make sure that foods that contain raw or lightly cooked eggs, such as hollandaise sauce, Caesar salad dressing, and tiramisu, are made only with pasteurized eggs.

Eat or refrigerate eggs and foods containing eggs promptly after cooking. Do not keep eggs or foods made with eggs warm or at room temperature for more than 2 hours, or 1 hour if the temperature is 90°F or hotter.

Wash hands and items that came into contact with raw eggs—including counter tops, utensils, dishes, and cutting boards—with soap and water.

The Food Safety Blog Recent Outbreaks and Recalls Across the United States